Sometimes letting go of sentimental stuff is hard. In this post I’m going to share with you why it’s hard to let go and what you can do about it. Keep reading!
When I was in fifth grade, my teacher gave me an ivory-colored stuffed teddy bear. It was wearing a green dress with white lace around the bottom.
The thought of getting rid of that bear when I got older made me feel so guilty. This teacher took the time to go out and purchase a teddy bear just for me. She spent her time and money on me.
And it was more than just the time and money; it was the fact that she thought and cared enough about me to do something so special.
I could never let go of that teddy bear, even though it just sat on my bed and later stored in my closet. When I moved out the bear came with me and now my daughter has the bear sitting on her shelf.
Why do we have the hardest time letting go of sentimental stuff?
Why letting go of sentimental stuff is hard to do
Emotionally attached: Sometimes your emotions take over and you start feeling attached to your stuff. When you think of the items you have that you have an emotional attachment to, they often represent an important relationship, accomplishment, or experience. However, holding on to the stuff might actually be keeping you from having new relationships, accomplishments, and experiences.
Guilt: Oftentimes, guilt gets in the way of letting go of sentimental stuff (as in the case with my teddy bear). Perhaps someone has given you a family heirloom and you feel obligated to keep it. Maybe you were given a gift from a friend that you feel guilty for getting rid of. You may also feel guilty about getting rid of something because of how much money you spent on it or because the item is still in perfectly good useable condition.
Representing the past: It is so easy to hold on to stuff from your past life. For example, I have a lot of craft items stored away that haven’t been touched in years. Maybe you used to have a hobby that you loved in the past but haven’t enjoyed it for years. Chances are you’re not going to pick it up again.
Waiting for “someday” More than likely “someday” has been dragging on for years and it’s not ever going to come. Don’t hold on to things just because you think you’ll pick it up again one day.
How to let it go
Acknowledge what’s worth holding on to While going through your items, ask yourself what exactly it is that you’re sentimental about. More than likely it’s not the object itself, but the person, time, or place it’s associated with. The memory will still be there even without the object, but if you just cannot part with the object, then there’s nothing wrong with keeping it.
Save an item virtually Documents and photos can be scanned and backed up as long as you don’t need the originals. Toys do not need to be saved, either as long as you have photos of your kids playing with them. Or consider making a photo book to keep memories in.
Donate notable items Do your research before you get rid of documents or photos that you received after the death of a loved one. Depending on who they were and where they live, the documents valuable to a local history museum.
Pass it on Consider handing over unwanted family heirlooms to another relative because they might be happy to keep it in the family. Also, it might just be something they’ve always wanted.
Put it in a box After the death of a loved one, put their things in boxes marked with question marks and save them to sort through after grieving. Give yourself at least 6 months or longer before sorting through the box.
Tell its story Grab a friend to help with sorting through things. Sometimes it helps just to tell someone the story behind the item and it may also help let it go.
Keep in mind that all the stuff doesn’t define who you are. Pass things along that you no longer need and hold onto the memories. It’s time to start a new chapter.
And remember: you can’t take it with you when you die.
What’s something you’re holding onto that your’re finding hard to let go of?
Michelle lives on a small homestead with her husband, daughter, 6 silly hens, 1 crazy rooster, 2 lazy cats, and 1 rescue dog. She loves DIYs, frugal living, crocheting, and reading. She's also a full-time proofreader.
You can't take it with you - ain't that the truth! I was just saying that the other day to a family member about money. It's hard letting go of emotional items but your tips are wonderful and make so much sense.
Thank you! It is really hard to let go of some things, especially when it comes to family stuff. My family needs to hear those same words when it comes to money. It has divided my aunt and uncles and it's so sad!
There's stories like that in every family sadly. My dad's family has a few examples too.
interesting
Thank you!
Last year I went to two estate sales and I was bowled over with the realization that your family has plenty of stuff by the time you pass away and they don’t have room and/or need or want your stuff. Only keep something if it makes YOU happy.
I think estate sales make you realize exactly how much stuff people keep and that it's just being spread out and given to others after you're gone. I agree with you about only keeping things that make you happy! Great point!
This is an excellent article Michelle! I’m extremely sentimental. I have stuff from school days like report cards. It’s strange because some of the stuff I haven’t seen in years, but it’s still here lol.
Thank you! I am, too. It's hard to get rid of some things! My mom recently gave me a box of stuff she saved from when I was in kindergarten. It was fun looking through it, though! :)
Awww that’s sweet! ?
I was in my storage unit last week reminiscing...downsizing 4 times to my RV was not easy. It’s been 4 years now with RV life. I tried a “stick and bricks” again in the winter and I was overwhelmed by STUFF. My life isn’t for everyone but I have kept just a small storage to hold on to the things I can pass down to the kids and grandkids (and made a video for them standing in the storage lol). I’m sentimental. “Stuff” without meaning no longer appeals to me. By letting go, I grew and gained way more~peace and simplicity.
With that said, I have strange collections~all their pics I scanned ~yet I have all the letters, drawings, etc..and 4 boxes full of my 23 years in education, and tons of books to donate. The heart items stay with me. ???
I can't imagine it would ever be easy to get rid of those things! :)
I’m like you! I have my tubs of special heart things to pass on! ❤️
I love that - "by letting go I grew and gained way more." Sometimes that's a hard lesson to learn. I'm sentimental and feel guilty about letting go of some stuff. I've kept a few things and narrowed it down to one box. I can just pass it along to my daughter later on.
I completely understand ???
Amen Sister in Jesus Michelle!!
Thank you!! :D
I'm a very sentimental person :)
I completely understand. I am, too. :)
This last year I've had the sad task of going through my parents' stuff since they can no longer live at home. Most of the stuff none of us want. A number of things are really not even in good enough condition to donate. The experience has totally changed the way I look at keeping things. I don't want to leave such a task to my kids. For me it is better to ask the kids and grandchildren or other family members while I am alive and well if they would like to have whatever stuff I'm considering getting rid of or don't need, and get rid of things no one wants so it does not become a burden for someone else to clean up later down the line.
I had to go through this, too and it's hard. It really does make you realize how much stuff we accumulate over the years. I don't want my kids to have that burden and stress, either. Thank you for sharing!
Yes, it does!
You're welcome!
Sentimental stuff! This is exactly why, despite my best intentions, my kids will someday have to clean out a confusing mess. I'll try your tips meantime.
I know what you mean! When my grandma passed away and we had to clean everything out I realized how hard that was going to be on my kids when I go. Then my mom bought a new house and she had even more stuff than my grandma! I went home and started going through all my stuff. But of course, there's still a lot I have to hold on to. :)
Smiles. This is me. ?Sometimes I have to close my eyes and dumb it in - either for donation or to trash it.
But it's better to let it go so that we can have room for the new. ?
Thanks for sharing these tips. ❤
I agree that sometimes you just have to close your eyes and let it go. :D Thank you!
I'm not one for holding on to many things for the sake of sentiment, but the rest of my family does. I've been accused of 'binge purging' whereas I get so fed up with clutter I begin to toss. Not that I'm a heartless monsster who throws away that cherished teddy bear, but I once spent 4 hours with my daughter trying to declutter her room. Clutter is a pet peeve of mine. Thank you so much for these tips, Michelle, i will try them in the future.
I completely agree with you on the clutter. If things are cluttered I get so overwhelmed and stressed out. It's okay to keep some things as long as they are organized and put away. My daughter doesn't understand that concept and she wants to keep every single thing anyone has ever bought her. Even if she never plays with it. So frustrating! haha!
I'm awful at this! I am not a hoarder, but when it comes to sentimental objects it is super hard for me to let go. I just store everything in boxes or drawers where they don't take much space. Thank you for this!!
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You can't take it with you - ain't that the truth! I was just saying that the other day to a family member about money. It's hard letting go of emotional items but your tips are wonderful and make so much sense.
Thank you! It is really hard to let go of some things, especially when it comes to family stuff. My family needs to hear those same words when it comes to money. It has divided my aunt and uncles and it's so sad!
There's stories like that in every family sadly. My dad's family has a few examples too.
interesting
Thank you!
Last year I went to two estate sales and I was bowled over with the realization that your family has plenty of stuff by the time you pass away and they don’t have room and/or need or want your stuff. Only keep something if it makes YOU happy.
I think estate sales make you realize exactly how much stuff people keep and that it's just being spread out and given to others after you're gone. I agree with you about only keeping things that make you happy! Great point!
This is an excellent article Michelle! I’m extremely sentimental. I have stuff from school days like report cards. It’s strange because some of the stuff I haven’t seen in years, but it’s still here lol.
Thank you! I am, too. It's hard to get rid of some things! My mom recently gave me a box of stuff she saved from when I was in kindergarten. It was fun looking through it, though! :)
Awww that’s sweet! ?
I was in my storage unit last week reminiscing...downsizing 4 times to my RV was not easy. It’s been 4 years now with RV life. I tried a “stick and bricks” again in the winter and I was overwhelmed by STUFF. My life isn’t for everyone but I have kept just a small storage to hold on to the things I can pass down to the kids and grandkids (and made a video for them standing in the storage lol). I’m sentimental. “Stuff” without meaning no longer appeals to me. By letting go, I grew and gained way more~peace and simplicity.
With that said, I have strange collections~all their pics I scanned ~yet I have all the letters, drawings, etc..and 4 boxes full of my 23 years in education, and tons of books to donate. The heart items stay with me. ???
I can't imagine it would ever be easy to get rid of those things! :)
I’m like you! I have my tubs of special heart things to pass on! ❤️
I love that - "by letting go I grew and gained way more." Sometimes that's a hard lesson to learn. I'm sentimental and feel guilty about letting go of some stuff. I've kept a few things and narrowed it down to one box. I can just pass it along to my daughter later on.
I completely understand ???
Amen Sister in Jesus Michelle!!
Thank you!! :D
I'm a very sentimental person :)
I completely understand. I am, too. :)
This last year I've had the sad task of going through my parents' stuff since they can no longer live at home. Most of the stuff none of us want. A number of things are really not even in good enough condition to donate. The experience has totally changed the way I look at keeping things. I don't want to leave such a task to my kids. For me it is better to ask the kids and grandchildren or other family members while I am alive and well if they would like to have whatever stuff I'm considering getting rid of or don't need, and get rid of things no one wants so it does not become a burden for someone else to clean up later down the line.
I had to go through this, too and it's hard. It really does make you realize how much stuff we accumulate over the years. I don't want my kids to have that burden and stress, either. Thank you for sharing!
Yes, it does!
You're welcome!
Sentimental stuff! This is exactly why, despite my best intentions, my kids will someday have to clean out a confusing mess. I'll try your tips meantime.
I know what you mean! When my grandma passed away and we had to clean everything out I realized how hard that was going to be on my kids when I go. Then my mom bought a new house and she had even more stuff than my grandma! I went home and started going through all my stuff. But of course, there's still a lot I have to hold on to. :)
Smiles. This is me. ?Sometimes I have to close my eyes and dumb it in - either for donation or to trash it.
But it's better to let it go so that we can have room for the new. ?
Thanks for sharing these tips. ❤
I agree that sometimes you just have to close your eyes and let it go. :D Thank you!
I'm not one for holding on to many things for the sake of sentiment, but the rest of my family does. I've been accused of 'binge purging' whereas I get so fed up with clutter I begin to toss. Not that I'm a heartless monsster who throws away that cherished teddy bear, but I once spent 4 hours with my daughter trying to declutter her room. Clutter is a pet peeve of mine. Thank you so much for these tips, Michelle, i will try them in the future.
I completely agree with you on the clutter. If things are cluttered I get so overwhelmed and stressed out. It's okay to keep some things as long as they are organized and put away. My daughter doesn't understand that concept and she wants to keep every single thing anyone has ever bought her. Even if she never plays with it. So frustrating! haha!
I'm awful at this! I am not a hoarder, but when it comes to sentimental objects it is super hard for me to let go. I just store everything in boxes or drawers where they don't take much space. Thank you for this!!
Lindifique
I completely understand. Some things are just so hard to let go of! Thank you for reading! :)